Section 3 Fuel oil storage

3.1.1 The flash point (closed cup test) of fuel oil for use in craft classed for unrestricted service is in general to be not less than 60^oC. For emergency generator engines, a flash point of not less than 43^oC is permissible.

3.1.2 Fuel oil with a flash point lower than 60^oC may be used in craft intended for restricted service where it can be demonstrated that the temperature of machinery spaces will always be 10^oC below the flash point of the fuel oil.

3.1.3 The use of fuel oil with a flash point below 43^oC is not recommended. However, fuel oil with a lower flash point, but not lower than 35^oC, may be used in gas turbines only subject to compliance with the provisions specified in Pt 15, Ch 3, 5 Low flash point fuels.

3.1.4 Proposals for the use or carriage of fuel oil with a lower flash point will be specially considered.

3.2.1 Tanks containing fuel oil are to be separated from passenger, crew and baggage compartments by vapour-proof enclosures or cofferdams which are suitably ventilated and drained.

3.2.2 Fuel oil tanks are not to be located in or adjacent to major fire hazard areas.

3.2.3 Fuel oil is not to be carried forward of the area for which public spaces or crew accommodation are permitted.

3.2.4 No fuel oil tank is to be situated where spillage or leakage therefrom can constitute a hazard by falling on heated surfaces.

3.2.5 Safe and efficient means of ascertaining the amount of fuel oil contained in any fuel oil tank is to be provided, see also Pt 15, Ch 2, 11.9 Sounding arrangements.

3.2.6 Fuel oil tanks are to be provided with self-closing valves or cocks for draining water from the bottom of the tanks.

3.2.7 As far as practicable, all parts of the fuel oil system containing heated oil under pressure exceeding 2 bar are not to be placed in a concealed position such that defects and leakage cannot be readily observed. The machinery spaces in way of such parts of the fuel oil system are to be adequately illuminated.

3.2.8 Fuel oil tanks are to be provided with oil-tight drip trays of sufficient capacity having suitable drainage arrangements.

3.2.9 In general fuel oil tanks are not to be used for carriage of water ballast. Where this is unavoidable the fuel transfer system is to be isolated from the ballast system and either oily water separating equipment is to be installed, or discharge to shore facilities provided, in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships in force.

3.3.1 Fuel oil tanks are normally to be located outside machinery spaces and other areas of major fire hazard.

3.3.2 Where structural tanks are located adjacent to machinery spaces they are to be arranged such that the area of the tank common with the machinery space is kept to a minimum. In craft constructed of aluminium or other heat sensitive material the tanks are to be suitably protected against the effect of fire in the machinery space.

3.3.3 Where free standing tanks are fitted in machinery spaces they are to be of steel or equivalent material and positioned in an oil tight drip tray of ample size having suitable drainage arrangements to a spill oil tank.

3.3.4 For yachts that are 500 gt or more, free standing fuel oil tanks are not to be fitted in Category ‘A’ machinery spaces. See also the additional requirements in Pt 17, Ch 3, 3.17 Fuel oil arrangements 3.17.3.

3.3.5 The requirements of Pt 15, Ch 3, 3.2 Fuel oil storage arrangements 3.2.4 to Pt 15, Ch 3, 3.2 Fuel oil storage arrangements 3.2.9 are to be complied with. Where free standing tanks are fitted they are to comply with the requirements of Pt 15, Ch 3, 12.3 Separate fuel oil tanks 12.3.1 to Pt 15, Ch 3, 12.3 Separate fuel oil tanks 12.3.3.

3.4.1 Where machinery is fitted with automatic or remote controls so that under normal operating conditions it does not require any manual intervention by the operators, the requirements of Pt 15, Ch 3, 3.4 Unattended machinery 3.4.2 to Pt 15, Ch 3, 3.4 Unattended machinery 3.4.5 apply.

3.4.2 Where daily service tanks are filled automatically or by remote control, means are to be provided to prevent overflow spillages.

3.4.3 Other equipment which treats flammable liquid automatically, such as fuel oil purifiers, are to have arrangements to prevent spillage of the liquid through overflow or malfunction of seals.

3.4.4 Alarms are to be provided for purifier broken water seal and high oil inlet temperature.

3.4.5 Where daily service fuel oil tanks or settling tanks are fitted with heating arrangements, a high temperature alarm is to be provided if the flash point of the oil can be exceeded. This alarm is to be separate from the temperature control system.

3.4.6 Fuel oil service tanks are to be provided with high and low level alarms. Where a common overflow tank is fitted, a high level alarm in the common overflow tank may be accepted.

3.4.7 Oil and gas dual-fired systems for boilers and engines are to be provided with indication to show which fuel is in use.